Connection system for pannier and method

ABSTRACT

A pannier ( 10 ) comprises a container portion ( 11 ) accommodating items. A connection system ( 12 ) is connected to the container portion ( 11 ) and releasably secures the container portion ( 11 ) to a rod-like member (A). The connection system ( 12 ) comprises connectors ( 22 ) each having a hook portion ( 32 ) to hook onto the rod-like member (A) and a cam portion ( 34 ) positioned with respect to the hook portion ( 32 ). The cam portion ( 34 ) is displaceable between an opened position to allow the hook portion ( 32 ) to hook onto the rod-like member (A), and a locking position in which the cam portion ( 34 ) is adapted to press against the rod-like member (A) to lock the rod-like member (A) in the hook portion ( 32 ). A biasing member ( 35 ) biases the cam portion ( 34 ) to the locking position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application claims priority on U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/821,409, filed on Aug. 4, 2006.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present application generally relates to a connection system forsecuring bags to frames or racks of bicycles, motorcycles and likevehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

The ever-increasing popularity of touring on two-wheel vehicles and livevehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, and the use of such vehiclesfor urban transportation means, has caused an advance in the equipmentused to carry luggage and items. For instance, in the bicyclingindustry, panniers, also called bike bags, are typically secured todifferent portions of the bike or to racks added to the bikes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,833, issued on Oct. 7, 1997 to Ortlieb, discloses adevice for holding bags in which fastening clips close around a rod ofcarrier racks, handle-bars or struts of bicycles (hereinafter rod). Theclips enclose the rod. A spring is provided to force the clips into thelocking position.

Considering that the fastening clips enclose and accommodate the rod,the device of Ortlieb requires shims that will shape the fastening clipsto the geometry of the rod. As there are various dimensions of rods forframes, the device of Ortlieb must provide various shim dimensions toensure that the device will be suitably connected to the rods of theframe so as to limit rattling resulting from play between the clips andthe rods.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection systemfor panniers that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

Therefore, in accordance with a first embodiment, there is provided apannier comprising: a container portion adapted to accommodate items; aconnection system connected to the container portion and adapted toreleasably secure the container portion to a rod-like member, theconnection system comprising at least one connector with a hook portionadapted to hook onto the rod-like member and with a cam portionpositioned with respect to the hook portion and being displaceablebetween an opened position to allow the hook portion to hook onto therod-like member, and a locking position in which the cam portion isadapted to press against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like memberin the hook portion, and a biasing member biasing the cam portion to thelocking position.

Further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portion of theat least one connector rotates about an axis substantially transversewith respect to the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the connectionsystem has two of the connectors.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portionsof the two connectors are oriented so as to rotate in oppositedirections when concurrently rotating to the opened position and to thelocking position.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, a carrying strapinterrelates the two cam portions, such that a pull on the carryingstrap displaces the cam portions away from their locking position towardtheir opened position.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the connectionsystem has a track, the two connectors being slidingly mounted to thetrack such that a position of the two connectors on the track isadjustable as a function of a shape of the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, each of theconnectors has a locking mechanism to lock the connectors on the trackin selected positions.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, a line betweensaid axis and a contact point between the cam portion and the rod-likemember is not perpendicular to the rod-like member when the cam portionis in the locking position.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portionhas a concave surface accommodating a portion of the rod-like memberwhen the cam portion is in the locking position.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portionhas a shim in said concave surface to press against the rod-like member,the shim being made of a material having a greater friction coefficientthan a remainder of the cam portion.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, an abutmentinsert in the hook portion defines a contact surface for the hookportion against the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portionpresses solely against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like memberin the hook portion.

In accordance with a second embodiment, a method for installing apannier to a rod-like member, comprising: providing a pannier with apair of connectors actuatable by a carrying strap; lifting the carryingstrap with respect to a remainder of the pannier so as to simultaneouslyopen the connectors; hooking the opened connectors onto the rod-likemember; and releasing the strap whereby the connectors press solelyagainst the rod-like member.

Further in accordance with the second embodiment, the method comprisesadjusting a position of the pair of connectors on the pannier prior toinstalling the pannier on the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the second embodiment, the methodcomprises adding abutment inserts in the connectors prior to installingthe pannier on the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the second embodiment, the methodcomprises providing a biased hook on a bottom end of the pannier, andfurther comprises connecting the biased hook to a structure associatedwith the rod-like member.

In accordance with a third embodiment, there is provided a panniercomprising: a container portion adapted to accommodate items; aconnection system comprising at least two connectors each comprising ahook portion adapted to hook onto the rod-like member, a cam portionpositioned with respect to the hook portion and being displaceablebetween an opened position to allow the rod-like member to reach thehook portion, and a locking position in which the cam portion is adaptedto press against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like member in thehook portion, and a biasing member biasing the cam portion to thelocking position; a carrying strap connected to the cam portion of bothof the connectors, the carrying strap being positioned with respect tothe container portion in a grasping position such that a pulling actionon the carrying strap displaces the cam portions to the opened position;and a retaining strap connected to at least one of the connection systemand the container portion, and arranged so as to maintain the carryingstrap in the grasping position.

Further in accordance with the third embodiment, the connection systemhas a track between the container portion and the at least twoconnectors, the two connectors being slidingly mounted to the track suchthat a position of the two connectors on the track is adjustable as afunction of a shape of the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the track issecured to the container portion by a pair of fasteners at opposed endsof the track, with the retaining strap being connected at opposed endsto the fasteners between the track and the container portion.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the fasteners arepositioned with respect to the track so as to limit the translation ofthe connectors along the track.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the cam portionof the at least two connectors rotate each about an axis substantiallytransverse with respect to the rod-like member.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the cam portionsof the two connectors are oriented so as to rotate in oppositedirections when concurrently rotating to the opened position by thepulling action on the carrying strap.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, a grasping tubeis provided on the carrying strap.

Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, an elastic isconnected at opposed ends to the connection system, and a hook is on theelastic, the hook being connected to a structure associated with therod-like member to stabilize the pannier on the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pannier having a connectionsystem constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector of the pannier ofFIG. 1, illustrating a cam in a locking position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 2, with the cam inan opened position;

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of one of the connectors of the pannier ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the pannier of FIG. 1, with acarrying strap subjected to a manual pulling action;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the connector of FIG. 4, withthe cam abutted in the opened position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier of FIG. 1, asmounted on a bike rack;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier and bike rack ofFIG. 7, showing the cam against a rod of the rack;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier and bike rack ofFIG. 7, showing the stabilizing elastic system cooperating with the bikerack; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged assembly view of the pannier of FIG. 1, showing arelation between a track and a retaining strap.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a pannier inaccordance with a first embodiment is generally shown at 10. The pannier10 has a container portion 11, such as bag as illustrated in FIG. 1, anda connection system 12.

The container portion 11 is provided to accommodate items of any type tobe transported by the pannier 10. Although a bag is illustrated ascontainer portion 11, other types of containers may be used in thepannier 10, such as a basket, a rigid container, etc.

The connection system 12 is provided to secure the container portion 11to a rack, or other vehicle component, such as handlebar, strut, etc.For simplicity purposes, the pannier 10 will be described hereinafter asbeing connectable to a rod/rod-like member of a bike rack, although itmay also be connected to other members of other types of vehicles (.e.,tricycles, motorcycles, etc.)

The connection system 12 optionally has a track 20. The track 20 is theinterface between the connection system 12 and the container portion 11.The track 20 defines a channel 21 supporting a pair of connectors 22such that the connectors 22 are slidingly displaceable along the channel21. Accordingly, a position of the connectors 22 on the track 20 isadjustable to adapt the connection system 12 to different lengths ofrods, or to different rod configurations. For instance, some panniersare mounted on racks having transverse rods, whereby the position of theconnectors 22 is adjusted on the pannier 10 to avoid such transverserods. Stops 21′ are provided at opposed ends of the channel 21 to limitmovement of the connectors 22 in the channel 21. The connectors 22 willbe described in further detail hereinafter.

A carrying strap 23 is connected at opposed ends to the connectors 22,and forms a loop projecting upwardly from a top surface of the containerportion 11. In this grasping position, the carrying strap 23 forms ahandle by which the pannier 10 is manually carried around. A tube 23′ isprovided in the loop for additional ergonomy in grasping the strap 23.As an alternative to a single carrying strap 23, it is considered toprovide a strap for each connector 22.

A retaining strap 24 extends along the track 20. The retaining strap 24ensures that the loop of the carrying strap 23 is always in a positionfor being grasped, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, the retainingstrap 24 generally preserves the position of the ends of the carryingstrap 23 as wrapped around the cams 34, which position is required toensure that the cams 34 are actuated in a single pulling action of thecarrying strap 23. The tube 23′ helps in ensuring that the loop of thecarrying strap 23 remains in position with respect to the retainingstrap 24.

Referring to FIG. 10, it is shown that the retaining strap 24 is securedat opposed ends (one of which is shown) to the bolts that are part ofthe stops 21′. The bolts of the stops 21′ are also used to secure thetrack 20 to the container portion 11.

A stabilizing elastic system 25 is optionally provided on the pannier 10and has a hook 26 and an elastic 27. The biased hook 26 is maintainedagainst a rear surface of the container portion 11 by way of a strip ofmaterial 28. The strip of material 28 presents more than one slot (i.e.,three in the illustrated embodiment) in which the hook 26 may bereceived. The slot is selected as a function of the desired position ofthe pannier 10 on the rack. A foremost slot is selected to position thepannier 10 as rearwardly as possible, to avoid having the pannier 10impede the heel of the rider during the pedaling motion. It iscontemplated to provide alternatives to the stabilizing elastic system25. As seen in FIG. 10, the elastic 27 is secured to the bolts of thestops 21′ by way of loops of material.

Referring to FIG. 2, each connector 22 has a base member 30 by which theconnector 22 is slidingly connected to the track 20. The base member 30is held captive in the channel 21 of the track 20, thereby forming atranslational joint therewith. A fastener 31, illustrated as a bolt inFIGS. 1 and 2, is generally perpendicular to the track 20 and istightenable using a tool (e.g., screwdriver, Allen key ratchet, etc.) tohold the cam 34 in pivoting engagement onto the base member 30. Althougha bolt is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, other fasteners and like devicesmay be used as alternatives.

Each connector 22 has a hook portion 32. In the first embodiment, thehook portion 32 is integral with the base member 30. An abutment insert33 covers the hook portion 32. The insert 33 is typically made of apolymeric material to prevent damaging the rack finish (e.g., scratchingthe paint), and the hook portion 32, as part of the base member 30, ismade of a rigid material such as a metal (e.g., aluminum, polymericmaterial, and the like). The abutment insert 33 is also provided toprevent the premature wear of the hook portion 32. In the firstembodiment, the abutment insert 33 is slidingly engaged into theconcavity of the hook portion 32, and defines a contact surface 33′ ofgenerally arcuate cross-section. Other configurations are considered forthe hook portion 32, such as having a polymeric material molded onto ametallic base, or one integral member made of a polymeric materialcombining the abutment insert 33, the hook portion 32 and the basemember 30.

In each of the connectors 22, a cam 34 is pivotally mounted to the basemember 30. In the first embodiment, the fastener 31 serves as pivot forthe cam 34. The cam 34 has a contact surface 34′ as best seen in FIG. 3.The contact surface 34′ may be generally smooth, but it is contemplatedto provide a concavity in the contact surface 34′. In such a case, thesurface of contact between the cam 34 and the rod is increased, wherebythe friction therebetween is enhanced to limit movement of theconnectors 22 along or about a rod. The cam 34 is made of a rigidmaterial, such as polymeric material (e.g., having a relatively highfriction coefficient in a material similar to that of the insert 33) ora metal such as aluminum. As illustrated in FIG. 3, it is considered toprovide a shim 34″ in the concavity of the contact surface 34′. The shim34″ is used to increase a friction coefficient between the rod-likemember A (FIG. 9) and the cam 34.

Accordingly, the material used for the shim 34″ is selected amongstmaterials having relatively high friction of coefficient, such as arubber (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer or the like).Moreover, the concavity of the contact surface 34′ defines a pair ofabutment walls on both sides of the shim 34″, creating structuralmembers reducing the risk of unhooking of the rod-like member A from thehook portion 32/cam 34. The radius of curvature of the concavity isoptionally selected as a function of the diameter of the rod-like memberA, with a smaller diameter of the concavity selected for smallerrod-like members, for the concavity to encapsulate the rod-like member.It is considered as an option to align the shim 34″ along the abutmentwall of the cam 34 that is adjacent to a free end of the hook portion32, as the rod-like member has a tendency in some instances to leanagainst this free end of the hook portion 32.

The cam 34 is displaceable between a locking position as illustrated inFIG. 2, and an opened position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The cam 34 isbiased toward the locking position so as to lock a rod therein. In thefirst embodiment, in order to be biased, the cam 34 houses a biasingmember 35 as shown in FIG. 4. The biasing member 35 is illustrated asbeing a torsion spring having projecting ends 35′, only one of which isvisible in FIG. 4. One of the projecting ends 35′ is received in anextension 30′ of the fastener hole of the insert 33, which fastener holeis provided for the fastener 31. The other end 35′ is accommodated in abore (not shown) in the cam 34.

It is pointed out that washers 36 are optionally provided to limit theamount of play between the fasteners 31 and the cams 34. The fasteners31 and the cams 34 are sized such that the locking of the fasteners 31does not impede the rotation of the cams 34. Accordingly, in instancesthere might be some play between the head of the fasteners 31 and thecams 34, whereby the washers 36 reduce the play. Referring to FIGS. 2and 3, the cams 34, which are mirror images of one another, are shownbeing connected to opposed ends of the carrying strap 23. In the firstembodiment, the strap 23 is bolted to the cams 34, but other ways ofsecuring the ends of the strap 23 to the cams 34 are also considered(e.g., self-tapping screws, rivets and the like). The carrying strap 23is connected to the cams 34 in such a way that a pulling action ofsufficient magnitude on the strap 23 will move the cams 34 against theaction of the biasing member 35 to reach the opened position of FIG. 3.Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a single pulling action on thecarrying strap 23 will cause both cams 34 to reach the opened position.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is shown that an abutment 37 of the base member30 limits the displacement of the cams 34 to the opened position uponthe pulling action on the carrying strap 23.

In order to lock the connectors 22 on the track 20 in a given position,a set screw 38 or like locking mechanism is provided in the base member30 as is shown in FIG. 6. The set screw 38 is simply screwed whereby aportion of the screw 38 will press against the track 20 to block thetranslational movement between the connector 22 and the track 20. As analternative, it is considered to use the fasteners 31 (FIG. 2) to lockthe connectors 22 to the track 20, by having the fasteners 31 extendthrough the base member 30 of the connectors 22.

When the cams 34 are in the opened position, the pannier 10 may bemounted to a bike rack. Referring concurrently to FIGS. 7 and 8, thepannier 10 is shown mounted in a secured manner to a rod-like member Aof a bike rack B. It is shown that the hook portion 32 of the connectors22 are hooked on the rod-like member. As seen in FIG. 7, the inserts 33marry the shape of an upper portion of the rod-like member A, andthereby prevent lateral movement between the rod-like member A and theconnectors 22. When the hook portions 32 are engaged onto the rod-likemember A, the carrying strap 23 is released, causing the cams 34 tocontact the rod-like member A.

Referring to FIG. 8, one of the cams 34 is shown having returned to thelocking position to lock the pannier 10 to the rod-like member A. It isobserved that the cam 34 is biased into contact against the rod-likemember A. Therefore, the connectors 22 effectively lock the rod-likemember A by the cams 34 being biased directly against the rod-likemember A. In one embodiment illustrated by FIG. 8, it is seen that animaginary line between a pivot center (i.e., center of the fastener 31),and the contact surface or point between the cam 34 and the rod-likemember A is close to being vertical, but remains slightly angled, asillustrated by angle θ. In an embodiment, the angle θ ranges between >0and 20 degrees.

At this orientation of the cams 34 locking the pannier 10 to the rack B,a major portion of the downward vertical force of the rod-like member Aagainst the cams 34 (e.g., when the vehicle is on bumpy roads) is alonga radial vector V1, whereas a minor portion of the force is along atangential vector V2 which is opposed by the force of biasing member 35and by friction between the rod-like member A and both the insert 33 andthe cam 34. This results in substantial structural interferencereducing/preventing vertical movement between the connectors 22 and therod-like member A. Against the force of vector V2, the connection system12 opposes the biasing action of the biasing member 35 (FIG. 4), as wellas friction between the rod-like member A and the connectors 22.

It is considered to have the imaginary line reaching the vertical. Thisresults in a greater amount of force being required to move the cams 34to their opened position when pulling on the carrying strap 23, as thefriction at the position is at its greatest level. However, it isdesired to limit the amount of force required to open up the cams 34,whereby it is preferred to keep the angle θ between >0 and 20 degrees,as discussed previously.

When the vehicle comes to a stop or accelerates, inertial forces mayresult in the pannier 10 moving forward or backward along the rod-likemember A. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 10, it is seen that the pairof connectors 22 are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, alongitudinal translation of the pannier 10 along the rod-like member Awill cause a longitudinal frictional force on the connectors 22 (i.e.,along the rod-like member). As the cams 34 are mirror images of oneanother, one of the cams 34 will have its biasing member 35 (FIG. 4)urging it in the direction of the longitudinal force (i.e., reducing theangle θ toward 0 degrees). As such, the friction force of that connector22 on the rod-like member A increases as angle θ nears 0 degrees,resulting in greater opposition to the translation of the pannier 10along the rod-like member A.

The materials used for the connector 22 are typically selected as afunction of their respective coefficients of friction. The coefficientsof friction of the materials, the force of the biasing members 35 andthe angle θ are selected so as to minimize rattling between the pannier10 and the rod-like member A, while also minimizing the effort requiredin the pulling action on the carrying strap 23 to open the connectors22.

In bike racks such as bike rack B, the rod-like member diameters arewithin a given range, namely between 7 and 15 mm. Accordingly, a radiusof 7.5 mm for the contact surface 33′ of the inserts 33 is well suitedto accommodate the rod-like members having diameters within standardranges. This range of rod diameters is considered when positioning thecam 34 with respect to the hook portion 32, so as to have angle θ at adesired value (e.g., about 15 degrees).

Referring to FIG. 9, the stabilizing elastic system 25 is showncooperating with the bike rack B to limit movement of the pannier 10with respect to the bike rack B. More specifically, the hook 26 ishooked on a loop C in the bike rack B or on another part of the vehicle(e.g. axle bolt fitting), thereby opposing a force against rotation ofthe pannier 10 about the rod-like member A. Moreover, the stabilizingelastic system 25 opposes a force against translation of the pannier 10along the rod-like member A. Therefore, for the pannier 10 illustratedin FIG. 1, the hook 26 is pulled into engagement with the loop C, priorto the pannier 10 being mounted on the rod-like member A. The carryingstrap 23 is then pulled upward, and the combination of gravity and, ifapplicable, the tension in the elastic 27 will cause the cams 34 toreach their opened position such that the hook portions 32 accommodatethe rod-like member A. The carrying strap 23 is then released to havethe cams 34 lock the connectors 22.

To remove the pannier 10 from the bike rack B, the carrying strap 23 ispulled upwardly, whereby the cams 34 reach their opened position (FIG.3). The pannier 10 is then slightly pulled up vertically and laterallyaway from the rod-like member A. If the pannier 10 has a stabilizingelastic system 25, the hook 26 is then released from the loop C, bylowering the pannier 10.

It is considered to have a single one of the connectors 22 on thepannier 10. Such a configuration is used with smaller panniers 10, andis typically combined with a hook portion 32 of greater width forstability of the pannier on the bike rack. Likewise, for larger panniersa plurality of the connectors 22 may be used.

In the first embodiment, the pivot axis of the cams 34 is generallynormal to a plane in which both the cams 34 and the rod-like member Alie. It is also considered to have the pivot axis parallel to thisplane, or in other suitable orientations, but is generally preferredthat the pivot axis of the cams 34 be generally transverse an axis ofthe rod-like member A, from a top plan view.

In one embodiment, the connection system 12, including the retainingstrap 24, is connected to the container portion 11 by way of the boltsof the stops 21′, as are previous connection systems. Therefore, theconnection system 12 is retrofittable on some existing panniers.

1. A pannier comprising: a container portion adapted to accommodateitems; a connection system connected to the container portion andadapted to releasably secure the container portion to a rod-like member,the connection system comprising at least one connector with a hookportion adapted to hook onto the rod-like member and with a cam portionpositioned with respect to the hook portion and being displaceablebetween an opened position to allow the hook portion to hook onto therod-like member, and a locking position in which the cam portion isadapted to press against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like memberin the hook portion, and a biasing member biasing the cam portion to thelocking position.
 2. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the camportion of the at least one connector rotates about an axissubstantially transverse with respect to the rod-like member.
 3. Thepannier according to claim 2, wherein the connection system has two ofthe connectors.
 4. The pannier according to claim 3, wherein the camportions of the two connectors are oriented so as to rotate in oppositedirections when concurrently rotating to the opened position and to thelocking position.
 5. The pannier according to claim 3, wherein acarrying strap interrelates the two cam portions, such that a pull onthe carrying strap displaces the cam portions away from their lockingposition toward their opened position.
 6. The pannier according to claim3, wherein the connection system has a track, the two connectors beingslidingly mounted to the track such that a position of the twoconnectors on the track is adjustable as a function of a shape of therod-like member.
 7. The pannier according to claim 6, wherein each ofthe connectors has a locking mechanism to lock the connectors on thetrack in selected positions.
 8. The pannier according to claim 2,wherein a line between said axis and a contact point between the camportion and the rod-like member is not perpendicular to the rod-likemember when the cam portion is in the locking position.
 9. The pannieraccording to claim 1, wherein the cam portion has a concave surfaceaccommodating a portion of the rod-like member when the cam portion isin the locking position.
 10. The pannier according to claim 9, whereinthe cam portion has a shim in said concave surface to press against therod-like member, the shim being made of a material having a greaterfriction coefficient than a remainder of the cam portion.
 11. Thepannier according to claim 1, further comprising an abutment insert inthe hook portion to define a contact surface for the hook portionagainst the rod-like member.
 12. The pannier according to claim 1,wherein the cam portion presses solely against the rod-like member tolock the rod-like member in the hook portion. 13.-16. (canceled)
 17. Thepannier according to claim 5, further comprising: a retaining strapconnected to at least one of the connection system and the containerportion, and arranged so as to maintain the carrying strap in a graspingposition.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The pannier according to claim 17, whereinthe track is secured to the container portion by a pair of fasteners atopposed ends of the track, with the retaining strap being connected atopposed ends to the fasteners between the track and the containerportion.
 20. The pannier according to claim 19, wherein the fastenerspositioned with respect to the track so as to limit the translation ofthe connectors along the track.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The pannier accordingto claim 17, wherein the cam portions of the two connectors are orientedso as to rotate in opposite directions when concurrently rotating to theopened position by the pulling action on the carrying strap.
 23. Thepannier according to claim 5, further comprising a grasping tube on thecarrying strap.
 24. The pannier according to claim 1, further comprisingan elastic connected at opposed ends to the connection system, and ahook on the elastic, the hook being connected to a structure associatedwith the rod-like member to stabilize the pannier on the structure.